Sinoepoch

Sinoepoch is a grand strategy game set in a historical fantasy version of China’s Three Kingdoms period. You create a character in 184 AD, build a family, and compete or cooperate with the era’s heroes as you seek to expand your power. Your family’s story can continue through descendants until the scenario’s end; if your character dies without descendants, the game ends.

A changing path to power

The game moves through three phases: individual freedom, primary power and power faction struggle. These phases shape its systems, including official appointments: in the primary power phase you can receive some magistrate positions, while Beijing and military posts become available only after you are crowned Emperor. The current main historical events run from 184 AD through the period when the eighteen vassals fight against Dong Zhuo.

The implemented plot lets you gain prestige by attacking cities and use it to claim the titles of Duke and King before seeking the throne. These events are not mandatory goals; the central requirement for continuing a game is to pass on your lineage.

Family and territory

You begin with a city as the base of your family. Manage cities and recruit troops to expand your territory, and marry daughters of local clans to have children who can carry on the family line. When your character dies, you take control of their descendants and continue the game until the scenario ends.

The current scenario spans 100 years. Letting time pass without taking action takes about 20 hours. The world map is based on a large map of historical locations and contains 13 states, 103 counties, 967 cities and 8 passes.

Characters and organizations

The current version includes 1,002 characters. Your character has up to 18 attributes, and you can develop skills by gaining enough experience. Historical and fictional historical events unfold as the world changes.

Organizations include nations as well as other political entities, such as princes, warlords, separatists, tyrants and tribes. You can make allies of these groups or fight them.

Activities and warfare

The role-playing portion currently includes personal combat, drinking, crusades against thieves, hunting and eliminating pests. Trade lets you buy commodities at low prices and sell them at higher prices to earn money and develop cities.

Wars require a declaration, and peace is reached through negotiations. Battles take place either in the field or during sieges.

Current scope

Sinoepoch is made by one person. Its current version has no character portraits, and its interface has significant problems and needs further optimization. Large-map seam transitions may also cause slight lag. The English translation is incomplete, and the English interface has serious issues; the game’s text is extensive.